How long is the growth cycle of loofah?

Introduction to the growth of loofah

Luffa has strong adaptability and is best grown in sandy loam with thick soil layer, good air permeability, and good water and fertilizer retention. There are two varieties of luffa: ordinary luffa and ridged luffa. The former is cultivated in both north and south of the country, while the latter is mainly cultivated in South China. It is widely cultivated in southern and northern China, and is also widely cultivated in temperate and tropical regions of the world.

Loofah Growth Cycle

The life of loofah can be divided into six periods: germination period, seedling period, vine period, initial flowering and fruiting period, fruiting period, and aging period. Generally, the growth cycle of loofah is about half a year.

Growth rate of loofah

The germination period of loofah takes 7-10 days from seed germination to the first true leaf breaking out of the heart. Under normal conditions, the seedling stage can be completed in 15-25 days.

The vine-growing period of loofah is also called the vine-stretching period, which is from 4-5 leaves to the opening of female flowers. This period takes about 20 days to complete. The initial flower and fruit-setting period takes 20-25 days from budding to root melon setting.

After the root melon is harvested, the loofah enters the peak fruiting period, which generally takes 50-70 days. If managed properly, the peak fruiting period can be extended to 5-6 months. After the peak fruiting period, it is the senescence period until the vines are pulled out, which lasts for 1-2 months.

Luffa growth cycle management

The yield of loofah per mu is about 10,000 kilograms. The growth cycle is short. We can pick the fruit in about a month. In addition, it has another characteristic, which is that it is most suitable for planting in summer. The stronger the light, the faster it grows, and it has strong drought resistance.

Temperature management : Luffa is best grown in an environment of 20-30 degrees. The seeds can germinate in an environment of 28-30 degrees, and germinate quickly at 30-35 degrees.

Fertilization management : It is best to apply organic fertilizer as the base fertilizer for loofah. Generally, you can apply decomposed pig manure, hair fertilizer, peanut bran and other organic fertilizers, which can enable better growth.